The LA Lakers are stuck in a proverbial limbo. Ignoring the 22-17 record produced by the rookie HC, JJ Redick, there’s no surety of what you’ll get from them. On some nights, the Lakers can be at their showtime best, while on other occasions, they convince the viewers of their lack of championship pedigree. Rob Pelinka, who’s on a do-or-die year of his own, has been under constant pressure over the trade demands of the fans. “If the right deal comes and we have to put in draft picks, we will,” Pelinka stated in July.

“I think we’ve talked about it before, where we’re now in the apron world,” he further stated to clarify the trade plans of the Lakers. While they have failed to acquire any of the big-name targets, a name that has been constantly linked to the franchise is Cam Johnson. And now the Lakers GM has a clear directive of what he has to do to acquire the $94 million target.

According to New York Post’s Brian Lewis, the Nets “would loathe to move him for less than two first-round picks or the equivalent thereof.” The Brooklyn side has parted ways with Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith for far less and Johnson is not someone they are in a rush of offloading.

The Lakers previously traded DFS and Shake Milton for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and future second-round picks in 2027, 2030 and 2031 to the Nets. The LA outfit has five first round draft picks till 2031 and Cam will cost two of those. The 28YO forward also has $65.5 million due till the 2026-27 season. To comply with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Lakers, now $7.2 million over the first tax apron, would have to trade a mid-sized contract to balance the books.

All of this is to address one major concern the team is having throughout the season and that is defense. “I didn’t think we were sharp at all defensively in the second half. There were too many lapses, too many non-contests,” JJ Redick told the press after the Lakers’ narrow win over the Nets on Friday. He even ranted over the ‘atrocious’ defensive display of the purple and gold, sending indirect signals to Rob Pelinka about what the Lakers need in the trade window. Rob complied and recently made a move to apply relative relief.

Lakers GM added defensive buff to the team to address major stress area

The Lakers have looked lethargic at times defending the fort. Without Anthony Davis, the problem sticks out like a sore thumb. DFS who recently became a father missing time on the court hasn’t done any favors as well. So, Rob had a decision to make and he ultimately made the tough call.

The Lakers recently signed Trey Jemison III to a two-way contract, waiving G-League hit Quincy Olivari. The Center’s contract is reportedly a two year deal with the West side team. Coach Redick looked reasonably content with the move emphasizing the addition of a ‘big body’. “Trey, I think he’s gonna have an opportunity at times to be out there with AD. He’s gonna have an opportunity, at times, to play solo big, depending on who’s available. Obviously, Jaxson’s our backup center. Not saying he’s gonna play over Jaxson. But getting him in the program was important for us,” Redick told the media about the new signing.

The 25-year-old made his debut against the Nets and was far from inspiring in the 15 minutes he spent on the court. He didn’t add anything on the scoreboard but came away with four rebounds, which was “low-key a bad number” for him. “I should have got at least six or seven. I missed a few out there. But I’m not gonna lie, my goal out here is to be physical. Do all the hard stuff, let the other guys do the easy stuff. They can score the ball, I’ll go set screens, I’ll rebound the ball, but I got to be better than I was tonight,” Jemison added, assessing his maiden appearance.

But the overall consensus still demands the Lakers to do better. And Cam Johnson could be exactly what they need. The 6’8″ forward is averaging 19.6 points this season from a healthy 49.9% shooting. But to get Johnson, Rob has to trump the contest for him. The Kings and the Cavaliers are the two leading candidates in the race. If Rob Pelinka succeeds in tripping them in the race, the Lakers nation just might well get on his bandwagon for a change.